Fans tune in in force for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry presented by Castle Double Malt is capturing the attention of New Zealanders, drawing major audiences across Sky Sport, Three and Sky's digital platforms.
Across the series so far, 1.275 million viewers have watched on Sky Sport and Three. A further 510,000 viewers have streamed the series via Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster said the numbers show the enduring connection New Zealanders have with the All Blacks and the special place the rivalry holds for rugby fans.
“Getting up in the middle of the night takes commitment, but New Zealanders are doing exactly that because they want to experience these matches live as All Blacks supporters,” Lancaster said.
“That is just one of the many things that makes Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry so special. It shows how engaged New Zealand is, bringing families and friends together in living rooms across the country. “We’re incredibly grateful to the fans who continue to get behind the team, and to Sky Sport for bringing these matches to New Zealand audiences. The numbers show just how much this rivalry continues to mean to New Zealanders.”
Gary Burchett, Head of Sport Content at Sky, said: “What has been particularly telling is how early people are joining the coverage. We’re seeing Kiwis tune in from 2am for the one-hour build-up, not just for kick-off. That tells you that these matches matter, and fans want the context, the analysis and the sense of occasion that comes with a rivalry like this.
“We are also seeing that people are choosing to experience the series in different ways, whether that’s live in the middle of the night, on replay the next morning, through Sky Sport Now and Sky Go, or free to air on Three. Our job is to make every one of those experiences feel substantial. This is much bigger than 80 minutes of rugby.”
Fans are showing up
For Hawke’s Bay rugby fan Hannah, watching the All Blacks is simply part of supporting the team. “I’ve been a rugby supporter since I was a baby. My parents always watched the rugby growing up and my grandma did too, so it’s always been a big part of our family,” Hannah said. “Even though they’re on the other side of the world, you just want to support the team. You always back your team, no matter what, and it’s just fun to watch.”
